Introduction

With the advent of aviation technology in recent years, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are widely used, mainly for military purposes, in many parts of the world. There are also a growing number of civilian applications of UAS e.g. aerial surveillance, photography and search and rescue. With the maturing and miniaturization of applicable technologies, UAS offer the possibility of cheaper, more capable alternative airborne equipment that could be used without risk to aircrews.

The Civil Aviation Department is responsible for processing applications for operations of UAS within the Hong Kong airspace. With the significantly different level of sophistication of UAS available in the market, any person intending to operate UAS within the Hong Kong airspace should submit details to the Civil Aviation Department well before the intended date of operation. The prime consideration in regulating such activities is to ensure that operations of unmanned aircraft, regardless of size and weight, do not compromise the safety of other airspace users, the public, and property on the ground.

Flight of UAS is generally not permitted over populated areas and no hazardous material may be carried nor objects dropped from the aircraft that may endanger persons or property on the ground. Such flights must operate within airspace segregated from other civil air traffic and shall operate in such a manner as not to endanger any person or property. The ensuing paragraphs provide additional guidelines for operations of UAS weighing 7 kg or more: -

General Operational Parameter for Safe Operations of UAS for UA Weighing 7 kg or More Without Its Fuel

1. Area of operations
a) Normally not to be conducted in Controlled Airspace (CAS), Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ADZ) or within 5km of any aerodrome.

2. Altitude of operations
a) Normally below 3000 feet AMSL.
b) Lower altitude limit may be imposed depending on exact location and means of control and communication.

3. Time of operations
a) During daylight hours only.

4. Number of UA
a) No more than one UA will normally be permitted at any one time within the same block of designated airspace.

5. Weather criteria
a) Visibility of no less than 5 km. Visibility of more than 5 km may be required depending on the nature and areas of operations.
b) Cloud ceiling not below the approved altitude of operations.
c) Surface wind of no more than 20 knots, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. The surface wind speed limit may be reduced if the controllability of the UA is in doubt.
d) The UA operator has to have hand-held anemometer to monitor surface wind speed on site.
e) The UA operator must not launch the UA when Thunderstorm Warning, Rain Alert or Strong Monsoon Signal is in force.

6. Control of the UA
a) The UA operator shall be on site and keep the UA within visual range during the period of the flight.

7. Communication with ATC
a) The UA operator shall inform the Aerodrome Supervisor before commencement of launching and on completion of each flight.
b) The UA operator shall provide his/her contact phone number to the Aerodrome Supervisor, who may instruct to stop the operation, when necessary.

8. Altitude keeping performance capability
a) The UA operator shall describe the means of altitude keeping to ensure that the actual altitude flown is accurate.

9. Other related issues
a) The take-off and landing area should be properly segregated from public access.
b) The UA shall not be flown within 50 m of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control of the UA operator; except that during take-off and landing, the UA must not be flown within 30 m of any person, unless that person is one of the UA operators or person necessarily present in connection with the operation of such UA.

10. Frequency spectrum and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
a) The UA operator is required to seek approval from the Office of the Telecommunications Authority on the use of radio frequencies and to ensure that no RFI is caused to air traffic operations and air navigation equipment.

Note: If an UAS is unable to meet the above operational parameters, the applicant should discuss directly with CAD at the earliest opportunity to determine if alternative measures can be accepted.

Application Form for Operating UAS

For applying for operating UAS, you may download the application form here

Note:

The application form and all relevant information must reach Assistant Director-General (Airport Standards) at least 28 working days prior to the date of the proposed flight. Depending on the complexity of the proposed operation, extra time may be required for processing the application.

The application form and supporting documents shall be submitted to the following email address [ uas@cad.gov.hk ] or by fax to 2795 8469. If by email, these documents shall be either in pdf or Word format for text files, and pdf or jpeg format for photo files. Incomplete or insufficient information may delay the application process.

For further enquiries on the rules of operating UAS, please contact the Airport Standards Division of CAD on phone number 2182 1236.

.